EL SEGUNDO, CA — On June 30, 2013, when the National Hockey League held its annual amateur draft, the Los Angeles Kings picked up what looked like a huge windfall in the fifth round when they selected goaltender Patrik Bartosak (146th overall selection).

In 2011-12, the 20-year-old native of Novy Jicin, Czech Republic recorded a 2.75 goals-against average (GAA), a .915 save percentage, and one shutout in 25 games. Bartosak went on to top those numbers last season, earning a 2.26 GAA, a .935 save percentage, and five shutouts.

Bartosak’s 2012-13 regular season performance earned him honors as the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Goaltender of the Year.

2012 DEVELOPMENT CAMP EXCLUSIVE: The Los Angeles Kings 2012 Development Camp for their young prospects begins today, at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, California. Frozen Royalty begins its coverage with a look at forward Linden Vey’s 2011-12 season with the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League, the Kings’ primary minor league affiliate.

LOS ANGELES — The young prospects of the Los Angeles Kings hit the ice for the first time today at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, California, for Day One of the team’s annual Development Camp.

The Development Camp runs through Tuesday, July 10, with three on-ice sessions each day (schedule and camp roster available below).

For one camp veteran, forward prospect Linden Vey, who scored 19 goals and added 24 assists for 43 points in 74 regular season games for the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League in 2011-12, this is a time to push harder on his strength and conditioning regimen.

EL SEGUNDO, CA — With the Los Angeles Kings having been so keenly focused on amateur scouting and drafting young players since Dean Lombardi took over as President/General Manager on April 21, 2006, the team now has a stable full of talented prospects.

Indeed, no matter what position you look at, the Kings have skilled, young players who are developing in Canadian junior leagues, in collegiate hockey, and at the Kings’ primary minor league affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League.

On the offensive side of the ledger, the Kings have a few forward prospects who lit up Canadian junior hockey, finishing among the top scorers in their respective leagues, if not leading all junior leagues in scoring. Read more of this post

Center prospect Robert Czarnik spoke to
the media during the Los Angeles Kings 2011 Development Camp at the Toyota Sports Center
in El Segundo, California, July 11-12, 2011.
Photo: Gann Matsuda

EL SEGUNDO, CA — Although he is certainly not one of the Los Angeles Kings’ prospects whose name rolls right off the tip of your tongue, center prospect Robert Czarnik is pushing to make an impact at the next level.

Czarnik, 21, is no longer eligible to play in Canada’s junior hockey leagues (he had an over-age year of eligibility left for 2010-11), so the Kings will now have to find room for him with the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League, their primary minor league affiliate, or with the Ontario Reign, their ECHL affiliate.

The 6-0, 185-pound native of Detroit, Michigan was selected by the Kings in the third round (63rd overall) of the 2008 National Hockey League Entry Draft, fresh out of two seasons with the United States Under-18 Team. Read more of this post

EL SEGUNDO, CA — After watching their team lose their poise—the Los Angeles Kings were dominated throughout long stretches of a 3-1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks in Vancouver on March 31—the Kings brain trust has come to the realization that their team will not last long in the Stanley Cup Playoffs without help up front.

As a result, on April 1, the Kings recalled top center prospect Brayden Schenn, under emergency conditions, from the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League, a team that is expected to go deep into the WHL playoffs and make it to the Memorial Cup finals.

“We’re going to miss Brayden terribly,” said Blades general manager and head coach Lorne Molleken. “He’s a very special player. But at the same time, we’re absolutely thrilled that he’s getting a chance to play the game at the NHL level, and help the LA Kings in their playoff run.” Read more of this post

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